Sony Alpha is a DSLR camera system introduced on 5 June 2006. It utilizes and expands upon Konica Minolta camera technologies, including the Minolta AF SLR lens mount, whose assets were acquired by Sony after the end of Minolta's camera operations in early 2006

"the new OLED viewfinder and 20 megapixel resolution and handy Lock-on Autofocus mode are improvements, which makes the much cheaper Sony A58 a real bargain.
Just like the rest of the SLT family, the Sony A58 turns conventional design on its head to provide what is in many ways a better user experience than traditional DSLRs can achieve, at a very competitive price point that Canon and Nikon must surely be worried about. The A58's excellent OLED electronic viewfinder offers enough enough resolution and real-time feedback to take on a more conventionaloptical viewfinder, while the translucent mirror and EVF combination provides fast auto-focus for both stills and video and 100% scene coverage, although the burst shooting mode is disappointingly slower and more limited in buffer size and file format than previous SLT cameras."

Lots of new goodies in this one: A new 20 Megapixel sensor, a Oled SVGA (800x600) EVF, lock-on focus feature, and some 'Auto Object Framing' mode, but no built-in GPS, something that was available on the older A55. The A58 well replace both the A57 and A37 cameras, and will come with a new kit lens, the video friendly DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II. Availability is set for April 2013 in Europe, TBA for the rest of the world.

Source is as usual our favorite suspect,the Japanese Digicame.info site. List of goodies: The NEX-3n, entry level NEX camera, the A58 aps-c sized 20 Megapixel Dslt camera, and 3 new lenses: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II, 70-400mm f/4-5.6G SSM II and the Sony Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZASSM. Compared to the prototypes displayed at CP+ the final versions of the lenses appear to have at least some cosmetic differences, such as in color, and name plate position. . . . read more

If there's only one review you'll ever need to read about the A99, this is it. It may be slightly less technical than those of DPreview, but boy, does it deliver elsewhere. For one, it is 2 reviews in one: Famous photographer and extreme skier Scott Rinckenberger ​writes a introductory pro users report, having taken the A99 to the places he usually hangs out, snow covered mountains, and breathtaking slopes.

"The Sony Alpha A99 boasts some of the most impressive technology ever placed in a DSLR, even more advanced than what's found in many high-end pro models. It's a fast shooting, fast focusing, weather-sealed, video-friendly and eminently customizable camera, all in a smaller and lighter package than its competition. As such, the A99 marks Sony's first -- and long-awaited -- attempt at becoming a true player in the pro DSLR arena. . . . read more

"The A99 is perhaps the most well-appointed full-frame DSLR on the market. A magnesium-alloy body with weather-sealed controls, two control dials, fast 6fps burst mode, a clever 3-way swiveling LCD screen, useful top LCD panel, innovative dual AF system, focus peaking, flash sync socket, uncompressed HDMI output, built-in GPS and an optional vertical grip. The only missing feature that we can think of is Wi-Fi connectivity, something that only the recent Canon EOS 6D offers out of the box.. . . read more

"The Sony 135mm f1.8 exhibits some of the sharpest lens performance I’ve seen from any optic at f1.8 (wide open). With that said though, you’ll need to keep in mind a couple of parameters when shooting this wide open:

- Because you’re lens is so long, you’ll need to shoot at a higher shutter speed to compensate for camera shake despite the fact that the A99 has stabilization on the sensor.. . . read more

"Beyond the autofocusing, the image quality is really very spectacular with skin tones being some of the best we've seen and white balancing also being very true to life. Part of this has to come from its excellent metering performance; which we rated as perfect when doing an old school Sunny 16 test and when using a handheld light meter.

High ISO results are a mixed bag with there being some loss of detail between 3200 and 6400 while beyond 6400 . . . read more

"The use of Sony’s SLT technology in its top-of-the-line full-frame shooter delivers both pros and cons. The obvious downside is low-light performance compared to its closest competitors, though Sony has done much to mitigate the SLT’s effect with new, targeted noise-reduction algorithms. The SLT also means the Alpha 99 uses an EVF, but again, Sony’s 2.4-million-dot OLED beauty offers 100 percent coverage, and compares well with the optical viewfinders of its . . . read more

"Overall image quality with the Sony A99 is one of the best that the company has to offer. The 24MP sensor is capable of resolving lots of detail with the right lenses, and the overall feel to the images have a feeling of really good film to them. Tweak the image a little bit one way, and it looks like Portra. Tweak it another way, and it will come out looking like Velvia large format.

Sony did an excellent job on this camera’s sensor; and in the right hands it can create images that not only hold their. . . read more

"The A99 is an exciting camera that will challenge most photographers but is enjoyable and very satisfying to use. Its ergonomics and high-resolution EVF make it better suited for shooting movies than its main rivals because you can record video while using the viewfinder.

Photographers who have an existing suite of A-mount lenses they are happy with will find the A99 provides the 'missing' full-frame body many have waited for. For photographers considering the A99 body as the basis of a . . . read more

"The A99 gives very good image quality, particularly so at high ISO sensitivities, placing it among the best performing full frame cameras we've seen to date. And with 24MP resolution, only of the class-leading 36MP Nikon D800 resolves more detail. Dynamic range is equally impressive as well, easily on par with its peers. And the camera's multi-shot HDR mode provides JPEG shooters with an easy way to capture both highlight and shadow detail that exceeds single-shot capability.. . . read more

Since there's no entry in my lexicon for 'camera of the year methodology' will refrain from a rant flood, and pass you on to the article, as the Pop Photo editors explain the why and how of the whole thing:

"2012 proved a truly great year for cameras. In the wake of 2011’s devastating tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand, camera manufacturers released nearly two years’ worth of terrific models in 2012, all within a span of eight months.

But our Camera of the Year choice came down to just three real finalists—the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, the Nikon D800, . . . read more

"We can see there being a lot of excitement and intrigue surrounding the Sony Alpha a99, which is the world's first full-frame DSLT camera. We also think that some people will be wary of the electronic viewfinder, but we're happy to report that it really is a very, very good device which is worth checking out even if you're skeptical.

Image quality at this early stage also looks to be very promising, with low levels of noise even in images taken at high. . . read more

"This week the new Sony a99 camera hit doorsteps and store shelves. To get in on the fun, we decided to show off the inside guts of the camera. From camera body to mirrorless sensor, SGNL by Sony uncovers it all. As an added bonus, we’ve also got a99 sample photos to share with you, complete with EXIF data in the photo descriptions. Check ‘em out below. Enjoy.". . . read more

The Digital Rev TV reviews have seemingly turned a bit bizarre as of lately. In this review things revolve a lot about body gestures and silly comments about the look of the camera and its various bits and pieces. Still, it is shot in HD, and some parts are quite useful for the potential buyer. . . . read more

As expected, a lot of innovation and goodies has found their way to this new cam, but for some reason Sony decided against using the new 36 megapixel sensor that is in use by Nikon in the D800. Among the most impressive new features are the dual AF modules, and Full HD 50p/60p progressive movie mode with non-stop Continuous AF and pro level audio. . . . read more

"The Sony Alpha A77 is a major leap forward for the company in DSLR design, features and image capabilities, finally putting Sony into the competitive mix with Canon and Nikon in the prosumer DSLR marketplace. The A77's 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, Translucent Mirror Technology and 12 frames-per-second capture rate changed everything for Sony. I found the Sony A77 to be solidly built, with a comfortable, familiar feel very reminiscent of the ergonomics of past Canon DSLRs-- which is a good thing. The A77 is very fast on almost all accounts, including autofocus, shutter lag and shot-to-shot speeds.. . . read more

The leaky boat that Sony is, has once again started to spill its secrets. Known so far, is a 24 mp sensor, 100-25.600 iso sensitivity, and the desire by the folks at Sony City in Minato to beat the **** out of the D800 and the 5D Mark III:

"Until know we know that the prototype has a new kind of 24 Megapixel FF sensor with base sensitivity of 100-25.600 ISO that can be . . . read more

First up comes Phoblographer, where Felix Esser does a a57 vs a55 spec comparison, and also, tries to explain the 'auto portrait framing' that newbies will love and others will loathe. And then there's the 2 big gun previews, the lads from Imaging Resource are impressed by the 8/12 frames per second capture, and Richard Butler and Lars Rehm from the Digital Photography Review have . . . read more

One of the two original SLT mirrorless cameras, the Sony SLT-a55 has just received a successor. priced in the entry DSLR range this newcomer ups the ante in the category, while adding a new twist: In a first for any major camera manufacturer, a dedicated video light has been announced together with a DSLR, the HVL-LE1 1800lux/0.5m 5500K 60 led light video light. . . . read more

On the same day Sony had its rating slashed by Finch to a BBB+ with a negative outlook, they release a $12.000 super tele 500mm lens. Any connections? probably no direct ones, after all the downgrading was mostly due to the performance of the TV sector. But with a NEX system sorely lacking in the lens department, and even the alpha mount having big holes in its basic line-up one cannot help but wonder why this lens was such a priority for Sony. Do they really think pro photogs will sport this lens during the London Olympics? Lens collectors? Rich Saudi princes? Or am I just incapable of fathoming the greatness in Sony's marketing strategy? That must be it. . . . read more

The iso samples in this review really show off the huge fall in overall image quality starting at iso 3200. What would have been exceptional by Aps-c sensor standards just a couple of years ago, is now in the "mediocre to good" class, eclipsed by among others its own sibling, the NEX-7.

"For those of you wondering about how the NEX-7 handles high ISOs as compared to the A900, look no further. I’ve made some comps of both RAW and jpeg images, cropped from the center, with no changes other than converting the RAW (using ACR 6.6) to jpeg for posting. I shot the . . . read more

"The A65 may look a lot like a DSLR, but it’s different by design: a translucent mirror removes the need for mechanical mirror movement when each shot is fired. Instead light is fed to the sensor and an autofocus sensor simultaneously and without interruption which means this nifty bit of . . . read more